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The Ultimate Guide to Leather Jackets: Styles, Materials, and Best Brands (UK & USA)

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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A leather jacket is one of the few wardrobe pieces that truly stands the test of time. From rebel icon to high-fashion staple, the right leather jacket becomes a long-term investment—offering edge, durability, and seasonless wearability. Whether you’re shopping the high street or designer market, UK or USA, knowing what to look for in fit, material, and construction is key.

This guide covers everything: from leather types and jacket styles to best brands and fit advice. Plus, we’ll introduce Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool that helps you find your perfect jacket size across over 1,500 brands—real-time, no guesswork.

🧵 What Makes a Quality Leather Jacket?

Before diving into brands, it’s essential to understand what makes a leather jacket truly investment-worthy:

1. Leather Type

  • Full-Grain Leather: The highest quality; retains the outermost layer for maximum strength and character. Ages beautifully.

  • Top-Grain Leather: Slightly sanded down for smoothness. Still durable and more affordable than full-grain.

  • Genuine Leather: A lower tier, made from leftover hides. Affordable but doesn’t age or wear as well.

  • Lambskin: Soft, lightweight, and ideal for fashion-forward or formal wear. Less rugged.

  • Cowhide: Durable, heavier, great for biker styles and structured silhouettes.

2. Tanning Method

  • Vegetable-Tanned: Eco-friendly, produces a rich patina over time. Less water-resistant initially.

  • Chrome-Tanned: More common, soft and pliable from the start. Quicker to process, but less sustainable.

3. Construction Features

  • Reinforced seams

  • High-grade zippers (YKK or RiRi)

  • Fully lined interior (often satin or viscose)

  • Hand-finishing on edges and panels

🧥 Leather Jacket Styles: Which One Suits You?

1. The Biker (Perfecto)

  • Asymmetric front, wide lapels, metal detailing.

  • Made famous by Marlon Brando and still a classic.

  • Best for: Sharp edge, casual outfits, street style layering.

2. The Moto Racer

  • Streamlined, minimal hardware, centre zip.

  • A sleeker take on leather for everyday use.

  • Best for: Smart-casual looks, modern silhouettes.

3. The Bomber

  • Ribbed cuffs, waist, and often collarless.

  • Military roots, great with jeans or tailoring.

  • Best for: Casual comfort with masculine edge.

4. The Overshirt (Shacket)

  • Lightweight, soft leather, shirt-style collar.

  • Great layering piece and wearable year-round.

  • Best for: Modern wardrobes, transitional weather.

5. The Trench or Longline

  • Full-length silhouette, belted waist, button or zip closure.

  • Dramatic and fashion-forward.

  • Best for: Elevated outfits and autumn/winter elegance.

🇬🇧 Best UK Leather Jacket Brands (High Street & Designer)

🔹 High Street

  • AllSaints – The go-to for washed black biker and bomber styles. Known for lambskin, slim fits, and timeless rock appeal.

  • Whistles – Refined leather shackets and modern bombers for women.

  • Marks & Spencer – Affordable entry-point real leather jackets with classic fits.

  • Reiss – Sleek racer and tailored options, ideal for smart styling.

🔗 Learn more:

What’s my clothes size at Reiss? Instruction on Posts

🔹 Luxury & Designer

  • Belstaff – Iconic British motorcycle heritage, durable waxed and leather jackets.

  • Barbour International – Known for leather-trimmed outerwear with utility roots.

  • Joseph – High-fashion leather outerwear in clean silhouettes.

  • Harris Wharf London – Minimalist leather layers with a contemporary twist.

🇺🇸 Best USA Leather Jacket Brands (High Street & Designer)

🔹 High Street

  • Everlane – Modern leather shirt jackets and vegan alternatives.

  • J.Crew – Classic bomber and moto styles in supple leather.

  • Madewell (for women) – Streamlined biker jackets with clean design and good price points.

🔹 Luxury & Designer

  • Schott NYC – Original creators of the Perfecto biker. Made in USA, built to last decades.

  • The Arrivals – Contemporary label with structured, gender-neutral designs.

  • Vince – Understated luxury, soft lambskin blazers and shackets.

  • Ralph Lauren – Polo-inspired leather outerwear with timeless Americana style.

👖 Styling Your Leather Jacket: Tips for Every Look

🔸 For Men

  • Biker Jacket + White Tee + Slim Jeans: Timeless rock-inspired combo.

  • Moto Jacket + Turtleneck + Wool Trousers: Dressier twist for dinner or work.

  • Bomber + Hoodie + Sneakers: Relaxed streetwear edge.

🔸 For Women

  • Cropped Biker + Midi Dress: Perfect contrast of edge and femininity.

  • Oversized Shacket + Trousers + Trainers: Effortless everyday cool.

  • Tailored Leather + All-Black Outfit: Monochrome power dressing.

Looking for outerwear layering guidance? See:

Why Structured Work Jackets Matter Instruction on Posts

 How Tellar.co.uk Helps You Find the Perfect Fit

Different brands. Different sizing. Different cuts. With leather jackets, precision matters more than ever. That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in.

✅ What Tellar Does:

  • Matches your measurements (or your known brand size) to the exact fit across 1,500+ brands.

  • Knows how AllSaints sizing compares to Reiss or Everlane, saving you the trial-and-error.

  • Works for jackets, trousers, blazers, dresses, jeans, and more.

💡 Stop wasting time guessing. Get the size right before you buy.

🛠 How to Start with Tellar

  1. Create your profile: https://tellar.co.uk/create-profile/

  2. Use the Store Size Lookup Tool: https://tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/

  3. Need help measuring? Download your free tape: https://tellar.co.uk/measuring-tape/ Instruction on Posts

📍Works instantly. No app, no download. Always free.

📚 Access the Free Fashion Hub

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Final Thoughts

Leather jackets are a lifetime piece—if you get the style, fit, and quality right. Choose premium materials, clean tailoring, and timeless shapes. Whether you're eyeing a classic biker or a refined shacket, Tellar.co.uk ensures you get the fit spot-on, across all brands.

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Start now: https://tellar.co.uk

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